EC recommends the opening of negotiations for Albania and Macedonia, barriers for Turkey

The Commission will recommend the opening of accession negotiations for the two Balkan countries, Albania and Macedonia.

Meanwhile, the European Commission placed a major barrier on Turkey's path towards membership talks, saying that official Ankara has taken serious steps that move it away from the European Union.

In the report published by the German media, the document states the prospect of membership for the six Western Balkan countries.

Currently, negotiations are under way with Serbia and Montenegro, and the commission wants to recommend their opening also with Macedonia and Albania.

The enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and European Diplomacy Minister Federica Mogherini will come to Tirana to submit the progress report and then travel to Skopje as well.

But the Commission wants the governments of these countries to not leave room for doubts about their strategic orientation and engagement and to show determination and irreversible progress. The commission mentioned earlier the 2025 as the date for the membership of the Balkan countries, but this time does not providet timelines.

The report concludes that the biggest problems in the Western Balkans and Turkey, are the organized crime and corruptio.

The report for all candidates from the Western Balkans and Turkey recognizes corruption and organized crime as very big problems. The region remains an important gateway to drug trafficking, weapons and people towards the EU.

EC recommends the opening of negotiations for Albania and Macedonia, barriers for Turkey
Saturday, April 14, 2018
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